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Webster Vienna goes Downtown

October 29th, 2014

Spectacular opening of Webster Vienna's new campus Palais Wenkheim

Under the patronage of the President of the Austrian federal republic, Dr. Heinz Fischer, international as well as local leaders from the political and business world celebrated Webster Vienna’s move to Palais Wenkheim on October 29. Many of the Directors from Webster’s worldwide campus network were also present, including Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Stroble, President of Webster University and Dr. Julian Schuster, Provost and Senior Vice President of Webster University.

“For three decades, Webster University has offered a truly global classroom experience in Vienna to students from around the world,” said President Stroble. “This expansion in Austria is part of our overall mission of offering a superior American-style education in an environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.”

During the evening there was a panel discussion about the future developments of Webster University as well as the differences between the American and Austrian educational system with the following participants: Dr. Arthur Hirsh, Dr. Beth Stroble, Dr. Julian Schuster as well as HE Lee Anthony Brudvig, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of the United States of America, Prof. Thomas Hintze, Chairman of the Vienna Campus Advisory Board and Chairman UPC Austria, Dr. Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, Vienna City Councillor for Culture and Science as well as Mag. Gernot Mittendorfer, Member of the Management Board, Erste Group Bank AG, last not but not least Karl-Heinz Hora, Borough Mayor, Leopoldstadt, City of Vienna.

“The last 15 years have been a success story for the city of Vienna: The numbers of universities increased from 8 to 21. Vienna is one of the largest university towns in the center of Europe and the German-speaking region. Webster University has its share in that, especially when it comes to bringing international flair to Vienna and making it more cosmopolitan. I am glad, that the move of this important institution will help to tie it even more closely to the city”, said the Vienna City Councillor for Culture and Science, Dr. Andreas Mailath-Pokorny.

Prof. Thomas Hintze, Chairman UPC Austria illustrated his long-term partnership with Webster Vienna Private University as follows: “Besides the fact, that we care a great deal about the education of young people, what also connects us to Webster Vienna Private University is the ‘genealogical tree’ of UPC and Webster University, both originating in the US. The high quality of practice oriented education complies with the highest international standards and is a major asset for the Austrian educational landscape, which needs to be supported.”

In tune with the motto of the evening “Webster Vienna Private University goes Downtown“, the British soul-queen, Dorretta Carter, performed Petula Clark’s famous hit “Downtown” under a shower of blue and golden glitter strands released over the Atrium in Palais Wenkheim. Webster students from many different nations showed interested visitors around the building and performed showcases to exhibit what the university has to offer from diversity to natural talent: from a simulation of a political debate to student clubs, such as the photo society, Latin dance or chess.

Dr. Arthur Hirsh, director of the Vienna campus, was happy about the tremendous success of the event and gives a positives outlook to the future: “In the years to come we want to double our student numbers up to 1000. The new technology, classroom space and the overall environment of the new campus location will further enhance the experience that our students receive as they complete Webster’s academic programs.”

Besides Dorretta Carter, the European champions and second place winners from the talent show “Webster Got Talent” performed a traditional Indian dance as well as an Electrodance live on stage.